What is living wage?
A living wage is the hourly wage a worker needs to earn to cover their basic expenses and participate in their community.
A living wage is not the same as the minimum wage, which is the legislated minimum all employers must pay and is set by the provincial government. The living wage reflects what people need to earn to cover the actual costs of living in their community. The living wage draws on community-specific data to determine the expenses to a family with two working adults and two children. Living wage employers voluntarily decide to pay a living wage and maintain their certification as new rates are calculated for their area.
Why is it important?
Employers paying a living wage experience improved reputation of the business, better relationships between management and staff, decreased employee turnover and absenteeism, increased retention and productivity, and savings on rehiring and retraining. Employers can use the living wage as a tool within their recruitment strategy for lower paying occupations. Additionally, long-term, stable, happy employees lead to better relationships with customers, which aids in growing a business.
Employers that pay a living wage are not only supporting their employees, they helping to build strong, thriving communities. When employees don’t make a living wage, they face impossible choices — buy food or heat the house, feed the children or pay the rent. The result can be spiralling debt, constant anxiety, and long-term health problems. In many cases it means that the adults in a family are working long hours, often at two or three jobs, just to pay for basic necessities. Employees that earn a living wage can face fewer of these stressors and employers can be confident they are not keeping their employees in poverty.
Check out the directory to find Living Wage employers near you!
Become a Living Wage Employer!
It’s a quick and easy process to get certified and show your commitment to offering a living wage for your staff. Check out this employer guide from Ontario Living Wage Network to learn more or contact Chris Connor at chris@workforcecollective.ca.
Employer Highlights
Meridian Credit Union becomes largest certified living wage employer in Ontario
City of St. Catharines is now the largest Ontario municipality to offer a living wage | CBC News
‘Businesses don’t actually have profit if they’re not paying a living wage’ – Little Chief & Co.
Port Colborne business shows paying a living wage is possible – Stolk Construction
Decent Work
Beyond fair pay, what else can you do to ensure you are creating the best possible work environment for your team? Visit our Decent Work page to learn more or contact us at info@workforcecollective.ca.
Learn more about how you can become a Living Wage Employer. It’s easier than you think!
We can help you get certified quickly and easily.